Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method of operating the same

ABSTRACT

An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: a two-dimensional (2D) transducer array in which a plurality of transducers that transmit/receive an ultrasound signal to/from an object are arranged in two dimensions; an analog beamformer configured to perform analog beamforming in a first direction, and perform analog beamforming in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction on signals respectively received by the plurality of transducers; and a digital beamformer configured to perform digital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed in the first direction, and perform digital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed in the second direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2015-0158111, filed on Nov. 11, 2015, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses andmethods of operating the same, and more particularly, to ultrasounddiagnosis apparatuses including a two-dimensional (2D) transducer arrayand methods of operating the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, various kinds of medical image apparatuses for visualizinginformation regarding biological tissue of a human body and obtainingfor the purpose of early diagnosis of various kinds of diseases andoperation thereon are widely in use. Representative examples of themedical image apparatuses include an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, acomputed tomography (CT) apparatus, and a magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) apparatus.

Ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses transmit ultrasound signals generatedby transducers of a probe to an object and receive echo signalsreflected from the object, thereby obtaining at least one image of aninternal part of the object. In particular, ultrasound diagnosisapparatuses are used for medical purposes including observation of theinterior of an object, detection of foreign substances, and diagnosis ofdamage to the object. Such ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses provide highstability, display images in real time, and are safe due to the lack ofradioactive exposure, compared to X-ray apparatuses. Therefore,ultrasound imaging apparatuses are widely used together with other imagediagnosis apparatuses.

Meanwhile, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus may provide a brightness(B) mode that shows a reflective coefficient of an ultrasound signalreflected by an object by using a 2D image, a Doppler mode that shows animage of a moving object (particularly, blood flow) by using a Dopplereffect, an elastic mode that shows a reaction difference between a casewhere compression is applied to an object and a case where compressionis not applied to the object by using images, etc.

SUMMARY

Provided are ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses and methods of operatingthe same that may receive and focus a multi-beam in a plurality ofdirections with respect to signals received by a two-dimensional (2D)transducer array.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented embodiments.

According to an aspect of an embodiment, an ultrasound diagnosisapparatus includes: a two-dimensional (2D) transducer array in which aplurality of transducers that transmit/receive an ultrasound signalto/from an object are arranged in two dimensions; an analog beamformerconfigured to perform analog beamforming in a first direction, andperform analog beamforming in a second direction perpendicular to thefirst direction on signals respectively received by the plurality oftransducers; and a digital beamformer configured to perform digitalbeamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed in the firstdirection, and perform digital beamforming on the signals that areanalog-beamformed in the second direction.

The analog beamformer may include: a first analog beamformer configuredto perform the analog beamforming in the first direction by applying asame time delay value to transducers located at same locations in thesecond direction; and a second analog beamformer configured to performthe analog beamforming in the second direction by applying a same timedelay value to transducers located at same locations in the firstdirection.

The 2D transducer array may include an M×N type 2D transducer array inwhich M 1D transducers are arranged in an elevation direction, and N 1Dtransducers are arranged in a lateral direction, the analog beamformermay be further configured to perform the analog beamforming in thelateral direction on each of the M 1D transducers arranged in theelevation direction, and perform the analog beamforming in the elevationdirection on each of the N 1D transducers arranged in the lateraldirection, and the digital beamformer may be further configured toperform digital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed inthe lateral direction, and perform digital beamforming on the signalsthat are analog-beamformed in the elevation direction.

A number of channels input to the digital beamformer may be M+N.

The 2D transducer array may be further configured to transmit anultrasound signal to the object along one scan line, and receive anultrasound signal reflected by the object, and the digital beamformermay be further configured to generate a signal corresponding to aplurality of scan lines arranged in the second direction bydigital-beamforming the signals that are analog-beamformed in the firstdirection, and generate a signal corresponding to a plurality of scanlines arranged in the first direction by digital-beamforming the signalsthat are analog-beamformed in the second direction.

The apparatus may further include: an image processor configured togenerate a first ultrasound image by using a signal that is obtained bydigital-beamforming the signals that are analog-beamformed in the firstdirection, and generate a second ultrasound image by using a signal thatis obtained by digital-beamforming the signals that areanalog-beamformed in the second direction.

The first ultrasound image may include an image corresponding to a firstcross-section of the object, and the second ultrasound image may includean image corresponding to a second cross-section of the object, and thefirst cross-section may be perpendicular to the second cross-section.

The first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image may includeone of a brightness (B) mode image, a color flow image, and an elasticimage.

The apparatus may further include: a display configured to display thefirst ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image.

The display may be further configured to display at least one of a firstadjustment bar that adjusts frame rates of the first ultrasound imageand the second ultrasound image, and a second adjustment bar thatadjusts resolutions of the first ultrasound image and the secondultrasound image.

The apparatus may further include: an input device configured to receivea user input that selects a region of interest from the first ultrasoundimage, wherein the display may be further configured to display thesecond ultrasound image including the selected region of interest.

According to an aspect of another embodiment, a method of operating anultrasound diagnosis apparatus including a two-dimensional (2D)transducer array in which a plurality of transducers are arranged in twodimensions, the method includes: performing analog beamforming in afirst direction, and performing analog beamforming in a second directionperpendicular to the first direction on signals respectively received bythe plurality of transducers; and performing digital beamforming on thesignals that are analog-beamformed in the first direction, andperforming digital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformedin the second direction.

The performing of the analog beamforming in the first direction, and theperforming of the analog beamforming in the second directionperpendicular to the first direction may include: performing the analogbeamforming in the first direction by applying a same time delay valueto transducers located at a same location in the second direction; andperforming the analog beamforming in the second direction by applying asame time delay value to transducers located at a same location in thefirst direction.

The 2D transducer array may include an M×N type 2D transducer array inwhich M 1D transducers are arranged in an elevation direction, and N 1Dtransducers are arranged in a lateral direction, the performing of theanalog beamforming in the first direction, and the performing of theanalog beamforming in the second direction perpendicular to the firstdirection may include: performing the analog beamforming in the lateraldirection on each of the M 1D transducers arranged in the elevationdirection, and performing the analog beamforming in the elevationdirection on each of the N 1D transducers arranged in the lateraldirection, and the performing of the digital beamforming on the signalsthat are analog-beamformed in the first direction, and the performing ofthe digital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed in thesecond direction may include: performing digital beamforming on thesignals that are analog-beamformed in the lateral direction, andperforming digital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformedin the elevation direction.

The method may further include: transmitting an ultrasound signal to theobject along one scan line, and receiving an ultrasound signal reflectedby the object, wherein the performing of the digital beamforming on thesignals that are analog-beamformed in the first direction, and theperforming of the digital beamforming on the signals that areanalog-beamformed in the second direction may include: generating asignal corresponding to a plurality of scan lines arranged in the seconddirection by digital-beamforming the signals that are analog-beamformedin the first direction, and generating a signal corresponding to aplurality of scan lines arranged in the first direction bydigital-beamforming the signals that are analog-beamformed in the seconddirection.

The method may further include: generating a first ultrasound image byusing a signal that is obtained by digital-beamforming the signals thatare analog-beamformed in the first direction, and generating a secondultrasound image by using a signal that is obtained bydigital-beamforming the signals that are analog-beamformed in the seconddirection.

The method may further include: displaying the first ultrasound imageand the second ultrasound image.

The method may further include: displaying at least one of a firstadjustment bar that adjusts frame rates of the first ultrasound imageand the second ultrasound image, and a second adjustment bar thatadjusts resolutions of the first ultrasound image and the secondultrasound image.

The method may further include: receiving a user input that selects aregion of interest from the first ultrasound image; and displaying thesecond ultrasound image including the selected region of interest.

According to an embodiment, a multi-beam may be implemented in the firstdirection and the second direction without an error.

According to an embodiment, a multi-beam may be implemented in the firstdirection and the second direction, so that a frame rate of anultrasound image may be increased.

According to an embodiment, a number of cables connecting an analogbeamformer with a digital beamformer may be reduced.

According to an embodiment, an amount of operations by analogbeamforming may be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an ultrasound diagnosis apparatusaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasound diagnosis apparatusaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasound diagnosis apparatusaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a probe according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining analog beamforming according to anembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a main body of an ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a method of generating an ultrasoundimage in an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams illustrating an example in which a firstultrasound image and a second ultrasound image are displayed on adisplay according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a user interfacethat adjusts a frame rate and resolution of ultrasound images isdisplayed on a display according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example in which anultrasound diagnosis apparatus displays a second ultrasound imageincluding a region of interest selected from a first ultrasound imageaccording to an embodiment;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are views illustrating an example in which anultrasound diagnosis apparatus displays a second ultrasound imageincluding a region of interest selected from a first ultrasound imageaccording to another embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms used in this specification are those general terms currentlywidely used in the art in consideration of functions regarding theinventive concept, but the terms may vary according to the intention ofthose of ordinary skill in the art, precedents, or new technology in theart. Also, some terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, andin this case, the meaning of the selected terms will be described indetail in the detailed description of the present specification. Thus,the terms used herein have to be defined based on the meaning of theterms together with the description throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, it will also be understood that when acomponent “includes” an element, unless there is another oppositedescription thereto, it should be understood that the component does notexclude another element and may further include another element. Inaddition, terms such as “ . . . unit”, “ . . . module”, or the likerefer to units that perform at least one function or operation, and theunits may be implemented as hardware or software or as a combination ofhardware and software.

Throughout the specification, an “image” may denote multi-dimensionaldata including discrete image elements. For example, an image mayinclude a medical image (an ultrasound image, a CT image, an MR image),etc. of an object obtained by an ultrasound apparatus, a CT apparatus,and an MRI apparatus, but is not limited thereto.

Furthermore, an “object” may be a human, an animal, or a part of a humanor animal. For example, the object may be an organ (e.g., the liver, theheart, the womb, the brain, a breast, or the abdomen), a blood vessel,or a combination thereof. Also, the object may be a phantom. The phantommeans a material having a density, an effective atomic number, and avolume that are approximately the same as those of an organism. Forexample, the phantom may be a spherical phantom having propertiessimilar to a human body.

An ultrasound image may denote an image obtained by irradiating anultrasound signal generated from a transducer of a probe to an objectand receiving information of an echo signal reflected by the object.Also, an ultrasound image may be implemented variously. For example, anultrasound image may be at least one of an amplitude (A) mode image, abrightness (B) mode image, a color (C) mode image, and a Doppler (D)mode image. Also, according to an embodiment, an ultrasound image may bea two-dimensional (2D) image or a three-dimensional (3D) image.

Throughout the specification, a “user” may be, but is not limited to, amedical expert, for example, a medical doctor, a nurse, a medicallaboratory technologist, or a medical imaging expert, or a technicianwho repairs medical apparatuses.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In this regard, thepresent embodiments may have different forms and should not be construedas being limited to the descriptions set forth herein.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustratingthe ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 mayinclude a main body 102, and a probe 101 connected to the main body 102.

The probe 101 according to an embodiment may include a 2D transducerarray 110 in which a plurality of transducers are arranged in twodimensions, and an analog beamformer 120 connected to the 2D transducerarray 110.

For example, each of the plurality of transducers included in the 2Dtransducer array 110 may convert an input electric signal into anultrasound signal, and transmit the converted ultrasound signal to anobject 10. Also, each of the plurality of transducers may receive anultrasound signal reflected by the object 10, convert the receivedultrasound signal into an electric signal, and transmit the same to theanalog beamformer 120.

The analog beamformer 120 according to an embodiment may include a firstanalog beamformer and a second analog beamformer. The first analogbeamformer may perform analog beamforming on signals respectivelyreceived by the transducers in a first direction, and the second analogbeamformer may perform analog beamforming in a second directionperpendicular to the first direction.

Also, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may include a digitalbeamformer 130, an image processor 140, and a display 150. The digitalbeamformer 130, the image processor 140, and the display 150 may beincluded in the main body 102, but are not limited thereto and may beimplemented as separate modules independent of the main body 102 anddetachable from the main body 102.

The digital beamformer 130 according to an embodiment may be connectedwith the analog beamformer 120 included in the probe 101 by using acable and may receive analog-beamformed signals from the analogbeamformer 120.

For example, the digital beamformer 130 may include a first digitalbeamformer and a second digital beamformer. The first digital beamformerdigital-beamforms a signal that is analog-beamformed in the firstdirection, and the second digital beamformer digital-beamforms a signalthat is analog-beamformed in the second direction.

The image processor 140 may generate an ultrasound image based on abeamformed signal. An ultrasound image according to an embodiment mayinclude a first ultrasound image and a second ultrasound image. Thefirst ultrasound image may be an image generated based on signalsobtained by digital-beamforming signals that are analog-beamformed inthe first direction, and the second ultrasound image may be an imagegenerated based on signals obtained by digital-beamforming signals thatare analog-beamformed in the second direction. The first ultrasoundimage and the second ultrasound image may be images corresponding tocross-sections perpendicular to each other.

The display 150 may display the generated first ultrasound image andsecond ultrasound image. The display 150 may display not only anultrasound image, but also various pieces of information processed bythe ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 on a screen image via a graphicaluser interface (GUI). In addition, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus100 may include two or more displays 150 according to embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus200 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 200 may includea probe 20, an ultrasound transceiver 215, an image processor 250, acommunication module 260, a memory 280, an input device 290, and acontroller 295. The above components may be connected with each othervia a bus 285.

Meanwhile, the 2D transducer array 110 of FIG. 2 may be a componentcorresponding to the probe 20 of FIG. 3. The analog beamformer 120 andthe digital beamformer 130 of FIG. 2 may be a component corresponding toan ultrasound receiver 220 of FIG. 3. The image processor 140 of FIG. 2may be a component corresponding to the image processor 250 of FIG. 3.The display 150 of FIG. 2 may be a component corresponding to thedisplay 260 of FIG. 3. Accordingly, the descriptions of the components110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 described in FIG. 2 are equally applicableto the corresponding components 20, 220, 250, and 260 of FIG. 3,respectively, and repeated descriptions of FIG. 2 are omitted.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 200 may be acart type apparatus or a portable type apparatus. Examples of portableultrasound diagnosis apparatuses may include, but are not limited to, apicture archiving and communication system (PACS) viewer, a smartphone,a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a tablet PC.

The probe 20 transmits ultrasound waves to an object 10 in response to adriving signal applied by the ultrasound transceiver 215 and receivesecho signals reflected by the object 10. The probe 20 includes aplurality of transducers, and the plurality of transducers oscillate inresponse to electric signals and generate acoustic energy, that is,ultrasound waves. Furthermore, the probe 20 may be connected to the mainbody of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 200 by wire or wirelessly,and according to embodiments, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 200 mayinclude a plurality of probes 20.

A transmitter 210 supplies a driving signal to the probe 20. Thetransmitter 110 includes a pulse generator 212, a transmission delayingunit 214, and a pulser 216. The pulse generator 212 generates pulses forforming transmission ultrasound waves based on a predetermined pulserepetition frequency (PRF), and the transmission delaying unit 214delays the pulses by delay times necessary for determining transmissiondirectionality. The pulses which have been delayed correspond to aplurality of piezoelectric vibrators included in the probe 20,respectively. The pulser 216 applies a driving signal (or a drivingpulse) to the probe 20 based on timing corresponding to each of thepulses which have been delayed.

A receiver 220 generates ultrasound data by processing echo signalsreceived from the probe 20. The receiver 120 may include an amplifier222, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 224, a reception delaying unit226, and a summing unit 228. The amplifier 222 amplifies echo signals ineach channel, and the ADC 224 performs analog-to-digital conversion withrespect to the amplified echo signals. The reception delaying unit 226delays digital echo signals output by the ADC 1124 by delay timesnecessary for determining reception directionality, and the summing unit228 generates ultrasound data by summing the echo signals processed bythe reception delaying unit 1126. In some embodiments, the receiver 220may not include the amplifier 222. In other words, if the sensitivity ofthe probe 20 or the capability of the ADC 224 to process bits isenhanced, the amplifier 222 may be omitted.

The image processor 250 generates an ultrasound image by scan-convertingultrasound data generated by the ultrasound transceiver 215 and displaysthe ultrasound image.

The image processor 120 extracts B mode components from ultrasound dataand processes the B mode components. The image processor 120 maygenerate an ultrasound image indicating signal intensities as brightnessbased on the extracted B mode components.

The ultrasound image may be not only a grayscale ultrasound imageobtained by scanning an object in an amplitude (A) mode, a brightness(B) mode, and a motion (M) mode, but also a Doppler image showing amovement of an object via a Doppler effect. The Doppler image may be ablood flow Doppler image showing flow of blood (also referred to as acolor flow image), a tissue Doppler image showing a movement of tissue,or a spectral Doppler image showing a moving speed of an object as awaveform.

A B mode processor 241 extracts B mode components from ultrasound dataand processes the B mode components. An image generator 255 may generatean ultrasound image indicating signal intensities as brightness based onthe extracted B mode components 241.

Similarly, a Doppler processor 242 may extract Doppler components fromultrasound data, and the image generator 255 may generate a Dopplerimage indicating a movement of an object as colors or waveforms based onthe extracted Doppler components.

According to an embodiment, the image generator 255 may generate athree-dimensional (3D) ultrasound image via volume-rendering withrespect to volume data and may also generate an elasticity image byimaging deformation of the object 10 due to pressure.

Furthermore, the image generator 255 may display various pieces ofadditional information in an ultrasound image by using text andgraphics. In addition, the generated ultrasound image may be stored inthe memory 280.

The display 260 may include at least one of a liquid crystal display, athin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emittingdiode, a flexible display, a 3D display, and an electrophoretic display.

Also, in the case where the display 260 and a user interface form alayer structure and are configured as a touchscreen, the display 260 maybe used as not only an output unit but also an input unit that mayreceive information by a user's touch.

The touchscreen may be configured to detect not only a touch inputlocation and a touched area but also a touch pressure. Also, thetouchscreen may be configured to detect not only a real-touch but also aproximity touch.

The communication module 270 is connected to a network 30 by wire orwirelessly to communicate with an external device or a server. Thecommunication module 270 may exchange data with a hospital server oranother medical apparatus in a hospital, which is connected thereto viaa PACS. Furthermore, the communication module 170 may perform datacommunication according to the digital imaging and communications inmedicine (DICOM) standard.

The communication module 270 may transmit or receive data related todiagnosis of an object, e.g., an ultrasound image, ultrasound data, andDoppler data of the object, via the network 30 and may also transmit orreceive medical images captured by another medical apparatus, e.g., acomputed tomography (CT) apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)apparatus, or an X-ray apparatus. Furthermore, the communication module270 may receive information about a diagnosis history or medicaltreatment schedule of a patient from a server and utilizes the receivedinformation to diagnose the patient. Furthermore, the communicationmodule 270 may perform data communication not only with a server or amedical apparatus in a hospital, but also with a portable terminal of amedical doctor or patient.

The communication module 270 is connected to the network 30 by wire orwirelessly to exchange data with a server 32, a medical apparatus 34, ora portable terminal 36. The communication module 270 may include one ormore components for communication with external devices. For example,the communication module 1300 may include a local area communicationmodule 271, a wired communication module 272, and a mobile communicationmodule 273.

The local area communication module 271 refers to a module for localarea communication within a predetermined distance. Examples of localarea communication techniques according to an embodiment may include,but are not limited to, wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-FiDirect (WFD), ultra wideband (UWB), infrared data association (IrDA),Bluetooth low energy (BLE), and near field communication (NFC).

The wired communication module 272 refers to a module for communicationusing electric signals or optical signals. Examples of wiredcommunication techniques according to an embodiment may includecommunication via a twisted pair cable, a coaxial cable, an opticalfiber cable, and an Ethernet cable.

The mobile communication module 273 transmits or receives wirelesssignals to or from at least one selected from a base station, anexternal terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. Thewireless signals may be voice call signals, video call signals, orvarious types of data for transmission and reception of text/multimediamessages.

The memory 280 stores various data processed by the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 200. For example, the memory 180 may store medical datarelated to diagnosis of an object, such as ultrasound data and anultrasound image that are input or output, and may also store algorithmsor programs which are to be executed in the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 200.

The memory 280 may be any of various storage media, e.g., a flashmemory, a hard disk drive, EEPROM, etc. Furthermore, the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 100 may utilize web storage or a cloud server thatperforms the storage function of the memory 280 online.

The input device 290 refers to a means via which a user inputs data forcontrolling the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 50. The input device 290may include hardware components, such as a keypad, a mouse, a touch pad,a touch screen, and a jog switch. Also, the input device 290 mayrecognize a user's fingerprint by including a fingerprint recognitionsensor. The input device 290 may further include any of various otherinput units including an electrocardiogram (ECG) measuring module, arespiration measuring module, a voice recognition sensor, a gesturerecognition sensor, an iris recognition sensor, a depth sensor, adistance sensor, etc. In particular, the input device 290 may include atouchscreen in which a touchpad and the above-described display 260 forma layered structure.

In this case, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 200 according to anembodiment may display an ultrasound image of a predetermined mode and acontrol panel for an ultrasound image on the touchscreen. Also, theultrasound diagnosis apparatus 200 may detect a user's touch gesturewith respect to an ultrasound image via the touchscreen.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 200 according to an embodiment mayphysically include some buttons frequently used by a user from amongbuttons included in a control panel of a general ultrasound apparatus,and provide the rest of the buttons in the form of a graphical userinterface (GUI) via the touchscreen.

The controller 295 may control all operations of the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 200. In other words, the controller 295 may controloperations among the probe 20, the ultrasound transceiver 200, the imageprocessor 250, the communication module 270, the memory 280, and theinput device 290 shown in FIG. 3.

All or some of the probe 20, the ultrasound transceiver 215, the imageprocessor 250, the display 240, the communication module 270, the memory280, the input device 290, and the controller 295 may be implemented assoftware modules. However, embodiments of the present invention are notlimited thereto, and some of the components stated above may beimplemented as hardware modules. Also, at least one of the ultrasoundtransmission/reception unit 215, the image processor 250, and thecommunication module 270 may be included in the control unit 295;however, the inventive concept is not limited thereto.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a probe 101 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the probe 101 according to an embodiment mayinclude a 2D transducer array 110, a first analog beamformer 121, and asecond analog beamformer 122.

The 2D transducer array 110 may have a form in which a plurality oftransducers transmitting/receiving an ultrasound signal to/from anobject are arranged in two dimensions. For example, the 2D transducerarray 110 may be an M×N type 2D transducer array in which M transducersare arranged in an elevation direction, and N transducers are arrangedin a lateral direction. In this case, M and N may be integers equal toor greater than 1, and M and N may the same numbers.

An electric signal may be input to each of the plurality of transducersincluded in the 2D transducer array 110. When an electric signal isinput, the transducers may convert the electric signal into anultrasound signal, and transmit the converted ultrasound signal to anobject. Also, the transducers may receive an ultrasound signal reflectedby the object, and convert the received ultrasound signal into anelectric signal.

The first analog beamformer 121 according to an embodiment may performanalog beamforming in the first direction on signals respectivelycorresponding to the plurality of transducers. Also, the second analogbeamformer 122 according to an embodiment may perform analog beamformingin the second direction perpendicular to the first direction on signalsrespectively corresponding to the plurality of transducers.

For example, in the case where the 2D transducer array 110 is an M×Ntype 2D transducer array in which M transducers are arranged in anelevation direction, and N transducers are arranged in a lateraldirection as described above, the first direction may be the elevationdirection or the lateral direction. In the case where the firstdirection is the elevation direction, the second direction may be thelateral direction. In the case where the first direction is the lateraldirection, the second direction may be the elevation direction. However,the inventive concept is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, before analog beamforming is performed on signalsrespectively corresponding to the transducers, the signals respectivelycorresponding to the transducers may be transmitted to a receptionsignal processor (not shown). The reception signal processor (not shown)may perform predetermined processing on a signal received from thetransducers. For example, the reception signal processor (not shown) mayinclude a low noise amplifier (LNA)(not shown) that reduces noise of ananalog signal received from the transducers, and a variable gainamplifier (VGA)(not shown) that controls a gain value depending on aninput value. In this case, the reception signal processor may include atime gain compensation (TGC) that compensates for a gain depending on adistance from a focus point, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FG. 4 again, analog beamforming according to an embodimentis described. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, descriptionis made on the assumption that the 2D transducer array 110 is an M×Ntype transducer array, the first direction is the elevation direction,and the second direction is the lateral direction, but is not limitedthereto.

For example, in the case where M transducers arranged in a line in theelevation direction are grouped as one sub-array, the 2D transducerarray 110 may include N sub-arrays arranged in the lateral direction.Also, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may further include aswitching unit (not shown), and the switching unit (not shown) mayperform switching so that a signal may be received in the first analogbeamformer 121 for each sub-array (the first to N-th sub-arrays).Accordingly, the first analog beamformer 121 may perform analogbeamforming on the N sub-arrays on a sub-array basis.

For example, in the case where first to M-th transducers forming a firstsub-array 310 receive an ultrasound signal reflected by an object, timesat which ultrasound signals reflected by a focus point reach respectivetransducers differ due to a difference in a distance between each of thetransducers forming the first sub-array 310 and the focus point.Therefore, the first analog beamformer 121 may delay signalsrespectively corresponding to the first to M-th transducers by a delaytime (a time delay value) calculated by taking into account a differencein a distance between each of the first to M-th transducers and thefocus point, and then sum the delayed signals as one signal.Accordingly, the first analog beamformer 121 may generate an analogsignal E₁ by performing analog beamforming on the first sub-array 310.

Also, the first analog beamformer 121 may generate analog signals E₂,E₃, . . . , E_(N) by performing analog beamforming on each of the secondto N-th sub-arrays in the same method that has been performed on thefirst sub-array 310. The first analog beamformer 121 is a beamformerthat performs analog beamforming in the elevation direction, and outputsN analog-beamformed signals by performing analog beamforming on each ofthe N sub-arrays. Therefore, the first analog beamformer 121 generatesthe analog signals E₁, . . . , E_(N).

Likewise, the second analog beamformer is a beamformer that performsanalog beamforming in the lateral direction, and outputs Manalog-beamformed signals by performing analog beamforming on each of Msub-arrays.

In this case, time delay values respectively applied to N sub-arrays maybe the same. For example, the same time delay value may be applied totransducers located on the same location in the lateral direction ineach of the N sub-arrays, but is not limited thereto (the same delayvalue may be applied and the same delay value may not be alwaysapplied).

Meanwhile, in the case where N transducers arranged in a line in thelateral direction are grouped as one sub-array, the 2D transducer array110 may include M sub-arrays arranged in the elevation direction.

The switching unit (not shown) may perform switching so that a signalmay be received in the second analog beamformer 122 for each sub-array((N+1)-th to (N+M)-th sub-arrays). Accordingly, the second analogbeamformer 122 may perform analog beamforming on the M sub-arrays on asub-array basis.

In the case where the first to N-th transducers forming an (N+1)-thsub-array 330 receives an ultrasound signal reflected by an object,times at which ultrasound signals reflected by a focus point reachrespective transducers differ due to a difference in a distance betweeneach of the transducers and the focus point.

Therefore, the second analog beamformer 122 delays signals respectivelycorresponding to the first to N-th transducers by a delay time (a timedelay value) calculated by taking into account a difference in adistance between each of the first to N-th transducers forming the(N+1)-th sub-array 330 and the focus point, and then sums the delayedsignals as one signal. Accordingly, the second analog beamformer 122 maygenerate an analog signal L₁ by performing analog beamforming on the(N+1)-th sub-array 330.

Also, the second analog beamformer 122 may generate analog signals L₂,L₃, . . . , L_(NA) by performing analog beamforming on each of (N+2)-thto (N+M)-th sub-arrays in the same method that has been performed on the(N+1)-th sub-array 330.

In this case, time delay values respectively applied to the (N+1)-th to(N+M)-th sub-arrays may be the same. For example, the same time delayvalue may be applied to transducers located on the same location in theelevation direction in each of the sub-arrays, but is not limitedthereto.

The first analog beamformer 121 and the second analog beamformer 122according to an embodiment may transmit (N+M) analog signals to thedigital beamformer 130 via a cable having (N+M) channels.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 4, the description has been made on the assumptionthat the first direction is the elevation direction, and the seconddirection is the lateral direction, but in the case where the 2Dtransducer array is an M×N square type transducer array, the firstdirection may be a first diagonal direction of the 2D transducer array,and the second direction may be a second diagonal direction of the 2Dtransducer array. In this case, the first analog beamformer 121 mayperform analog beamforming in the first diagonal direction, and thesecond analog beamformer 122 may perform analog beamforming in thesecond diagonal direction.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining analog beamforming according to anembodiment. In FIG. 5, for convenience of description, description ismade on the assumption that the 2D transducer array 110 is an M×N typetransducer array, the first direction is the elevation direction, andthe second direction is the lateral direction, but is not limitedthereto.

According to an embodiment, the 2D transducer array 110 may be dividedinto K regions (K is an integer greater than 1), and in each of the Kregions, transducers arranged in a line in the elevation direction maybe configured as one sub-array, or transducers arranged in a line in thelateral direction may be configured as one sub-array.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 100 may divide the 2D transducer array 110 into four regions410, 420, 430, and 440 and perform analog beamforming. In this case, inthe case where M/2 transducers arranged in a line in the elevationdirection in the first region 410 and the second region 420 are groupedas one sub-array, the first region 410 and the second region 420 mayinclude N sub-arrays arranged in the lateral direction. As describedwith reference to FIG. 4, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 mayfurther include the switching unit (not shown), and the switching unit(not shown) may perform switching so that a signal may be received inthe first analog beamformer 121 for each sub-array. Accordingly, thefirst analog beamformer 121 may perform analog beamforming on Nsub-arrays for each sub-array.

The first analog beamformer 121 may delay signals respectivelycorresponding to the M/2 transducers by a time delay value calculated bytaking into account a difference in a distance between each of the M/2transducers forming the sub-array 415 and the focus point, and then sumthe delayed signals as one signal. Accordingly, the first analogbeamformer 121 may generate an analog signal E₁₁ by performing analogbeamforming on the sub-array 415. Also, the first analog beamformer 121may generate analog signals E₂₁, . . . , E_(N1) by performing analogbeamforming on each of the rest of sub-arrays included in the firstregion 410 and the second region 420 by using the same method that hasbeen performed on the sub-array 415.

Also, in the case where M/2 transducers arranged in a line in theelevation direction in the third region 430 and the fourth region 440are grouped as one sub-array, the third region 430 and the fourth region440 may include N sub-arrays arranged in the lateral direction. Thefirst analog beamformer 121 may generate analog signals E₁₂, E₂₂, . . ., E_(N2) by equally performing analog beamforming on N sub-arrays byusing the same method as described above.

Also, in the case where N/2 transducers arranged in a line in thelateral direction in the first region 410 and the third region 430 aregrouped as one sub-array, the first region 410 and the third region 430may include M sub-arrays arranged in the elevation direction. Theswitching unit (not shown) may perform switching so that a signal may bereceived in the second analog beamformer 122 for each sub-array.Accordingly, the second analog beamformer 122 may perform analogbeamforming on M sub-arrays on each sub-array basis.

The second analog beamformer 122 may delay signals respectivelycorresponding to transducers (N/2 transducers) by a time delay valuecalculated by taking into account a difference in a distance betweeneach of N/2 transducers forming the sub-array 425 and the focus point,and then sum the delayed signals as one signal. Accordingly, the secondanalog beamformer 122 may generate an analog signal L₁₁ by performinganalog beamforming on the sub-array 425. Also, the second analogbeamformer 122 may generate analog signals L₂₁, . . . , L_(M1) byperforming analog beamforming on each of the rest of sub-arrays includedin the first region 410 and the third region 430 by using the samemethod that has been performed on the sub-array 415.

Also, in the case where N/2 transducers arranged in a line in thelateral direction in the second region 420 and the fourth region 440 aregrouped as one sub-array, the second region 420 and the fourth region440 may include M sub-arrays arranged in the elevation direction. Thesecond analog beamformer 122 may generate analog signals L₁₂, L₂₂, . . ., L_(M2) by equally performing analog beamforming on M sub-arrays byusing the same method as described above.

As described in FIG. 5, in the case of dividing the 2D transducer arrayinto four regions and performing analog beamforming, an amount ofoperation for the analog beamforming may reduce compared with the caseof not dividing the region of the 2D transducer array. Also, a number ofsignals generated as a result of analog beamforming becomes two timesgreater than the case of not dividing the region, so that a number ofchannels connecting the analog beamformer with the digital beamformermay increase two times.

Meanwhile, though FIG. 5 illustrates and describes a method of dividingthe 2D transducer array into four regions and performing analogbeamforming, the method is not limited thereto, and the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 100 according to an embodiment may divide the 2Dtransducer array 110 into K regions (K is an integer greater than 1),and configure transducer arrays arranged in a line in the elevationdirection as one sub-array, or configure transducer arrays arranged in aline in the lateral direction as one sub-array.

Also, though FIG. 5 describes dividing the 2D transducer array 110 intoregions in the lateral direction and the elevation direction, theultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 according to an embodiment is notlimited thereto and may divide the 2D transducer array 110 into only oneof the lateral direction and the elevation direction and perform analogbeamforming.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a main body 102 of an ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a view forexplaining a method of generating an ultrasound image in an ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the main body 102 may include an analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) 160, a first digital beamformer 131, a second digitalbeamformer 132, and an image processor 140.

The main body 102 according to an embodiment may be connected with theprobe 101 by using a cable and receive analog-beamformed signals. Forexample, the main body 102 may receive analog signals E₁, E₂, . . . ,E_(N) that are analog-beamformed in the elevation direction, and analogsignals L₁, L₂, . . . , L_(M) that are analog-beamformed in the lateraldirection.

The ADC 160 may convert a plurality of analog signals generated by theanalog beamformers 121 and 122 into digital signals.

The first digital beamformer 131 may receive digital signals E′₁, E′₂, .. . , E′_(N) into which signals that are analog-beamformed in theelevation direction have been converted, and perform digitalbeamforming. The first digital beamformer 131 may delay each of thedigital signals E′₁, E′₂, . . . , E′_(N) by a time delay valuecalculated by taking into account a difference in a distance betweeneach of first to N-th sub-arrays arranged in the lateral direction and afocus point, and then sum the delayed signals as one signal.

In this case, since one sub-array includes a plurality of transducers, adistance between a sub-array and the focus point may be calculated basedon various criteria. For example, a distance between a sub-array and thefocus point may be calculated by using one of a distance between thefocus point and a transducer located closest to the focus point fromamong transducers included in the sub-array, a distance between thefocus point and a transducer located farthest from the focus point fromamong the transducers included in the sub-array, a distance between thefocus point and a transducer located in the middle of the transducersincluded in the sub-array, and an average of distances between therespective transducers included in the sub-array and the focus point,but is not limited thereto.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 according to an embodiment maycalculate a distance between the sub-array and the focus point by usingthe same criterion and calculate a time delay value based on thecalculated result with respect to each of a plurality of sub-arrays.

Accordingly, the first digital beamformer 131 may generate a signalcorresponding to at least one scan line included in a first ultrasoundimage 501 as illustrated in FIG. 7 by digital-beamforming signalsrespectively corresponding to sub-arrays. In this case, the firstultrasound image 501 may be a cross-sectional image perpendicular to afirst direction (for example, the elevation direction), and the at leastone scan line may be a scan line arranged in a second direction (forexample, the lateral direction).

Accordingly, the image processor 140 may generate the first ultrasoundimage 501 as illustrated in FIG. 7 based on signals output from thefirst digital beamformer 131.

Meanwhile, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 according to anembodiment may perform multi-beam reception focusing that forms aplurality of multi-beams by transmitting an ultrasound beam to an objectone time. For example, the 2D transducer array 110 may transmit anultrasound signal to an object along one scan line, and receive anultrasound signal reflected by the object. In this case, the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 100 may generate a signal corresponding to aplurality of scan lines by using the reflected ultrasound signal.

The first digital beamformer 131 may perform multi-beam receptionfocusing in a direction (for example, the lateral direction)perpendicular to an analog beamforming direction (for example, theelevation direction) by applying different time delay values for each ofthe plurality of scan lines and performing digital beamforming whenbeamforming analog signals.

For example, in the case of forming four multi-beams by transmitting anultrasound beam one time, a signal S1 corresponding to a first scan lineSL1 may be generated by respectively applying time delay values a1, a2,. . . , an to signals E′₁, E′₂, . . . , E′_(N) that areanalog-beamformed in the elevation direction and digital-converted, andsumming the same. Also, a signal S2 corresponding to a second scan lineSL2 may be generated by applying time delay values b1, b2, . . . , bn tothe digital-converted signals E′₁, E′₂, . . . , E′_(N), respectively,and summing the same. Also, a signal S3 corresponding to a third scanline SL3 may be generated by applying time delay values c1, c2, . . . ,cn to the digital-converted signals E′₁, E′₂, . . . , E′_(N),respectively, and summing the same, and a signal S4 corresponding to afourth scan line SL4 may be generated by applying time delay values d1,d2, . . . , do to the digital-converted signals E′₁, E′₂, . . . ,E′_(N), respectively, and summing the same. In this case, the first scanline to the fourth scan line SL1, SL2, SL3, and SL4 may be scan linesarranged in the lateral direction as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Also, the second digital beamformer 132 may perform digital beamformingby using a method similar to the method used by the first digitalbeamformer 131. Specifically, the second digital beamformer 132 mayreceive signals L′₁, L′₂, . . . , L′_(M) that are analog-beamformed inthe lateral direction and digital-converted, and perform digitalbeamforming on the received signals. The second analog beamformer 132may delay digital signals L′₁, L′₂, . . . , L′_(M) by a time delaycalculated by taking into account a difference in a distance betweeneach of (N+1)-th to (N+M)-th sub-arrays and a focus point, and then sumthe delayed signals as one signal. Since a method of calculating adistance between the sub-array and the focus point has been described indetail in the above, description thereof is omitted.

The second digital beamformer 132 may generate a signal corresponding toat least one scan line included in a second ultrasound image 502 asillustrated in FIG. 7 by digital-beamforming signals corresponding tothe sub-arrays, respectively. In this case, the second ultrasound image502 may be a cross-sectional image perpendicular to the second direction(for example, the lateral direction), and the at least one scan line maybe a scan line arranged in the first direction (for example, theelevation direction).

Accordingly, the image processor 140 may generate the second ultrasoundimage 502 as illustrated in FIG. 7 based on signals output from thesecond digital beamformer 132.

Also, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 according to an embodimentmay perform multi-beam reception focusing in the elevation direction.For example, in the case of forming four multi-beams by transmitting anultrasound beam one time, a signal S5 corresponding to a fifth scan lineSL5 may be generated by respectively applying time delay values e1, e2,. . . , en to signals L′₁, L′₂, . . . , L′_(M) that areanalog-beamformed in the lateral direction and digital-converted, andsumming the same. Also, a signal S6 corresponding to a sixth scan lineSL6 may be generated by applying time delay values f1, f2, . . . , fn tothe digital-converted signals L′₁, L′₂, . . . , L′_(M), respectively,and summing the same. Also, a signal S7 corresponding to a seventh scanline SL7 may be generated by applying time delay values g1, g2, . . . ,gn to the digital-converted signals L′₁, L′₂, . . . , L′_(M),respectively, and summing the same. Also, a signal S8 corresponding toan eighth scan line SL8 may be generated by applying time delay valuesh1, h2, . . . , hn to the digital-converted signals L′₁, L′₂, . . . ,L′_(M), respectively, and summing the same. In this case, fifth toeighth scan lines may be scan lines arranged in the elevation directionas illustrated in FIG. 7.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 according to an embodiment mayraise a frame rate while maintaining resolution by performing multi-beamreception focusing. Also, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 mayperform beamforming without an error by performing the multi-beamreception focusing in a direction perpendicular to a direction in whichthe analog beamforming has been performed.

FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams illustrating an example in which a firstultrasound image and a second ultrasound image are displayed on adisplay according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may displaya first ultrasound image 510 in a first region and display a secondultrasound image 520 in a second region.

The first ultrasound image 510 represents an image generated based onsignals that are obtained by digital-beamforming signals that areanalog-beamformed in the first direction, and the second ultrasoundimage 520 represents an image generated based on signals that areobtained by digital-beamforming signals that are analog-beamformed inthe second direction. Accordingly, the first ultrasound image 510 andthe second ultrasound image 520 are images corresponding tocross-sections perpendicular to each other. Also, the first ultrasoundimage 510 may be an ultrasound image corresponding to a cross-sectionperpendicular to the first direction, and the second ultrasound image520 may be an ultrasound image corresponding to a cross-sectionperpendicular to the second direction.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, description is made on theassumption that the first ultrasound image 510 is a cross-sectionalimage in the lateral direction, and the second ultrasound image 520 is across-sectional image in the elevation direction.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 according to an embodiment maydisplay 1′ representing the first ultrasound image 510 is across-sectional image in the lateral direction in the first region, anddisplay ‘E’ representing the second ultrasound image 520 is across-sectional image in the elevation direction in the second region.

Each of the first ultrasound image 510 and the second ultrasound image520 according to an embodiment may be one of a B mode image, a colorflow image, and an elastic image. Also, the first ultrasound image 510and the second ultrasound image 520 may be images of different kinds.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the first ultrasound image 510may be a color Doppler image, and the second ultrasound image 520 may bea B mode image.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 according to an embodiment maydisplay icons 511 and 521 representing a B mode image, icons 512 and 522representing a color flow image, and icons 513 and 523 representing anelastic image. In this case, the icons representing a B mode image, theicons representing a color flow image, and the icons representing anelastic image may be displayed in different colors. For example, theicons 511 and 521 representing a B mode image may be displayed in afirst color, the icons 512 and 522 representing a color flow image maybe displayed in a second color, and the icons 513 and 523 representingan elastic image may be displayed in a third color.

When receiving a user input that selects one of the displayed icons, theultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may display an image of a kindcorresponding to the selected icon. For example, when receiving a userinput that selects the second icon 512 from among the first to thirdicons 511, 512, and 513 displayed in the first region, the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 100 may display the first ultrasound image 510 byusing a color flow image corresponding to the second icon 512. Also,when receiving a user input that selects the fourth icon 521 from amongthe fourth to sixth icons 521, 522, and 523 displayed in the secondregion, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may display the secondultrasound image 520 by using a B mode image corresponding to the fourthicon 521. In this case, the selected second icon 512 and fourth icon 521may be highlighted.

Referring to FIG. 8A again, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 maydisplay the locations of a first cross-section 531 corresponding to thefirst ultrasound image 510 and a second cross-section 532 correspondingto the second ultrasound image 520. For example, the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 100 may display the location of the firstcross-section 531 corresponding to the first ultrasound image 510 andthe location of the second cross-section 532 corresponding to the secondultrasound image 520 within a 3D volume 530, representing a scannablerange by using the probe 101 according to an embodiment.

Also, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may display a 2D region 540corresponding to the 3D volume 530, and display a first movement bar 541representing the location of the first cross-section 531 in a 1D lineand a second movement bar 542 representing the location of the secondcross-section 532 in a 1D line within the 2D region 540. Also, centralreference lines may be displayed in a horizontal direction and avertical direction on the 2D region 540 by using a dotted line.Accordingly, a degree in which the first cross-section 531 and thesecond cross-section 532 are separated from the center may be easilyunderstood. Also, a vertical length H0 of the 2D region 540 and acoordinate value H1 of a vertical axis of the first movement bar 541 maybe displayed in the first region in which the first ultrasound image 510is displayed, and a horizontal length W0 of the 2D region 540 and acoordinate value W1 of a horizontal axis of the second movement bar 542may be displayed in a region in which the second ultrasound image 520 isdisplayed.

Also, the color of the first movement bar 541 may be determineddepending on a mode of the first ultrasound image 510, and the color ofthe second movement bar 542 may be determined depending on a mode of thesecond ultrasound image 520. For example, in the case where the firstultrasound image 510 is a color flow image, the first movement bar 541may be displayed by using a second color, and in the case where thesecond ultrasound image 520 is a B mode image, the second movement bar542 may be displayed by using a first color.

Also, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may move the first movementbar 541 up and down by receiving a track ball input, a touch input, anup/down key input, etc. Also, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 maymove the second movement bar 542 left and right by receiving a trackball input, a touch input, a left/right key input, etc. However, aninput that moves the first movement bar 541 and the second movement bar542 is not limited thereto.

When receiving a user input that moves the first movement bar 541 up anddown, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may move the firstcross-section 531 in the elevation direction in response to the receiveduser input. Also, when receiving a user input that moves the secondmovement bar 542 left and right, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100may move the second cross-section 532 in the lateral direction inresponse to the received user input.

Accordingly, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may display thefirst ultrasound image corresponding to the moved first cross-sectionand the second ultrasound image corresponding to the moved secondcross-section on the display 150.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 accordingto an embodiment may display the 2D region 540 including the firstmovement bar 541 and the second movement bar 542 in a first region 551in which the first ultrasound image 510 is displayed, and in a secondregion 552 in which the second ultrasound image 520 is displayed. Inthis case, the first movement bar 541 displayed in the first region 551may be displayed by using a solid line, and the second movement bar 542may be displayed by using a dotted line. In this case, the location ofthe second movement bar 542 displayed in the first region 551 may befixed, and only the location of the first movement bar 541 may bechanged.

Also, the second movement bar 542 displayed in the second region 522 maybe displayed by using a solid line, and the first movement bar 541 maybe displayed by using a dotted line. In this case, the location of thefirst movement bar 541 displayed in the second region 522 may be fixed,and only the location of the second movement bar 542 may be changed.

Referring to FIG. 8C, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 accordingto an embodiment may include a first display 561 and a second display562. The first display 561 may display the first ultrasound image 510and the second ultrasound image 520, and the second display 562 maydisplay the locations of the first cross-section 531 corresponding tothe first ultrasound image 510 and the second cross-section 532corresponding to the second ultrasound image 520, and display the firstmovement bar 541 representing the location of the first cross-section531 and the second movement bar 542 representing the location of thesecond cross-section 532.

Referring to FIG. 8D, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 accordingto an embodiment may include the first display 561 and the seconddisplay 562. The second display 562 may display the first ultrasoundimage 510 and the second ultrasound image 520. Also, the second display562 may display the locations of the first cross-section 531corresponding to the first ultrasound image 510 and the secondcross-section 532 corresponding to the second ultrasound image 520, anddisplay the first movement bar 541 representing the location of thefirst cross-section 531 and the second movement bar 542 representing thelocation of the second cross-section 532.

In the case where one of the first ultrasound image 510 and the secondultrasound image 520 displayed in the second display 562 is selected,the first display 561 may display the selected image. For example, inthe case where the second ultrasound image 520 is selected, the firstdisplay 561 may display the second ultrasound image 520 on an entirescreen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a user interfacethat adjusts a frame rate and resolution of ultrasound images isdisplayed on a display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may displaya first ultrasound image 610 in a first region, and display a secondultrasound image 620 in a second region. Also, the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 100 may display a first adjustment bar 640 that may adjust aframe rate of the first ultrasound image 610 and the second ultrasoundimage 620. In this case, the first adjustment bar 640 may move left andright within the first region 635. The first region 635 may be dividedinto a left region and a right region based on the first adjustment bar640, and the left region and the right region may be displayed indifferent colors. Also, a frame rate of the first ultrasound image 610and the second ultrasound image 620 may be determined depending on thelocation of the first adjustment bar 640 in the first region 635.

For example, in the case where the first adjustment bar 640 is locatedto the right from a middle line 630 (in this case, the left region islarger than the right region), the frame rate of the first ultrasoundimage 610 may be greater than the frame rate of the second ultrasoundimage 620. In contrast, in the case where the first adjustment bar 640is located to the left from the middle line 630 (in this case, the leftregion is less than the right region), the frame rate of the secondultrasound image 620 may be greater than the frame rate of the firstultrasound image 610.

Also, the frame rate FR1 of the first ultrasound image 610 may bedisplayed in the left region, and the frame rate FR2 of the secondultrasound image 620 may be displayed in the right region. Also, colorsdisplayed in the left region and the right region may be determineddepending on the size of the frame rates of the first ultrasound image610 and the second ultrasound image 620. For example, in the case wherethe frame rate of the first ultrasound image 610 is greater than theframe rate of the second ultrasound image 620, the left region may bedisplayed in a first color, and the right region may be displayed in asecond color. In contrast, in the case where the frame rate of the firstultrasound image 610 is less than the frame rate of the secondultrasound image 620, the left region may be displayed in the secondcolor, and the right region may be displayed in the first color. Also,in the case where the frame rate of the first ultrasound image 610 isthe same as the frame rate of the second ultrasound image 620, the leftregion and the right region may be displayed in a third color, but isnot limited thereto.

Also, when receiving an input that moves the first adjustment bar 640 tothe right, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may increase the framerate of the first ultrasound image 610 and reduce the frame rate of thesecond ultrasound image 620 by increasing a number of multi-beamscorresponding to the first ultrasound image 610 and reducing a number ofmulti-beams corresponding to the second ultrasound image 620. Incontrast, when receiving an input that moves the first adjustment bar640 to the left, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may increase theframe rate of the second ultrasound image 620 and reduce the frame rateof the first ultrasound image 610 by increasing a number of multi-beamscorresponding to the second ultrasound image 620 and reducing a numberof multi-beams corresponding to the first ultrasound image 610.

However, the frame rate is not limited thereto, and the frame rate ofthe first ultrasound image 610 and the frame rate of the secondultrasound image 620 may be adjusted by using various methods. Also,contrary to the above-described method, when the first adjustment bar640 is moved to the left, the frame rate of the first ultrasound image610 may be increased and the frame rate of the second ultrasound image620 may be reduced.

Referring to FIG. 9 again, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 maydisplay the second adjustment bar 650 that may adjust resolution of thefirst ultrasound image 610 and the second ultrasound image 620. In thiscase, the second adjustment bar 650 may be moved up and down within thesecond region 645, and the resolution of the first ultrasound image 610and the second ultrasound image 620 may be determined depending on thelocation of the second adjustment bar 650. For example, when the secondadjustment bar 650 is located in the upper portion within the secondregion 645, resolution is high, and when the second adjustment bar 650is located in the lower portion within the second region 645, resolutionis low, but is not limited thereto.

Also, the resolution R1 of the first ultrasound image 610 may bedisplayed in a region in which the first ultrasound image 610 isdisplayed, and the resolution R2 of the second ultrasound image 620 maybe displayed in a region in which the second ultrasound image 620 isdisplayed.

Also, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may adjust the resolutionsof the first ultrasound image 610 and the second ultrasound image 620,respectively, by using the second adjustment bar 650. For example, whenreceiving an input that selects the first ultrasound image 610 and movesthe second adjustment bar 650 upward, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus100 may raise the resolution of the first ultrasound image 610. Whenreceiving an input that selects the second ultrasound image 620 andmoves the second adjustment bar 650 downward, the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 100 may lower the resolution of the second ultrasound image620.

For example, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may raise resolutionby increasing a number of scan lines included in an ultrasound imageframe, and lower resolution by reducing a number of scan lines includedin an ultrasound image frame. However, the method of adjustingresolution is not limited thereto, and the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 100 may adjust resolution by using various methods.

Also, referring to FIG. 9, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 maydisplay a first movement bar 641 and a second movement bar 642respectively representing the locations of the first ultrasound image610 and the second ultrasound image 620. Since the first movement bar641 and the second movement bar 642 have been described in detail inFIG. 8A, descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example in which anultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 displays a second ultrasound imageincluding a region of interest selected from a first ultrasound imageaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100may display a first ultrasound image 710 in a first region and display asecond ultrasound image 720 in a second region. Also, the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 100 may display the locations of a firstcross-section 731 corresponding to the first ultrasound image 710 and asecond cross-section 732 corresponding to the second ultrasound image720, and display a first movement bar 741 representing the location ofthe first cross-section 731 and a second movement bar 742 representingthe location of the second cross-section 732. In this case, the firstmovement bar 741 may be moved up and down, and the second movement bar742 may be moved left and right.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 100 may receive a user input that selects a region 715 ofinterest from the first ultrasound image 710, and display the region 715of interest selected by the user input inside the first ultrasoundimage. In this case, the region 715 of interest selected by the userinput may be a region not included in the second ultrasound image.

Also, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may display a location 735of the selected region of interest on the first cross-section 731corresponding to the first ultrasound image 710, and display thelocation 735 on the first movement bar 741. Also, the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 100 may simultaneously display a movement direction760 of the second movement bar 742 that allows the region of interest tobe located on the second movement bar 742. In this case, when receivinga user input that selects a location 745 of the region of interestdisplayed on the first movement bar 741, the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 100 may move the second movement bar 741 to the relevantlocation 745 as illustrated in FIG. 10B. That is, the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 100 may move the second movement bar 742 so that thelocation 745 of the region of interest may be located on the secondmovement bar 742. Alternatively, a user may move the second movement bar742 to the region of interest by dragging the second movement bar 742 inthe displayed movement direction 760, or performing a track ball input,and a left/right key input.

When the second movement bar 742 is moved so that the location 745 ofthe region of interest may be located on the second movement bar 742,the second cross-section 732 may be also moved to the location 735 ofthe region of interest. Accordingly, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus100 may generate a cross-sectional image in the elevation directionincluding a region 755 of interest as a second ultrasound image 750 anddisplay the generated second ultrasound image 750 in the second regionas illustrated in FIG. 10B.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are views illustrating an example in which anultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 displays a second ultrasound imageincluding a region of interest selected from a first ultrasound imageaccording to another embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100may include a first display 861 and a second display 862. The firstdisplay 861 may display a first ultrasound image 810 and a secondultrasound image 820. The second display 862 may display the locationsof a first cross-section 831 corresponding to the first ultrasound image810 and a second cross-section 832 corresponding to the secondultrasound image 820, and display a first movement bar 841 representingthe location of the first cross-section 831 and a second movement bar842 representing the location of the second cross-section 832.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, the ultrasound diagnosisapparatus 100 may receive a user input that selects a region 815 ofinterest from the first ultrasound image 810. In this case, the region815 of interest selected by the user input may be a region not includedin the second ultrasound image 820.

Also, a location 835 of the selected region of interest may be displayedon the first cross-section 831 and the first movement bar 841. In thiscase, when receiving a user input that selects a location 845 of theregion of interest displayed on the first movement bar 841, theultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may move the second movement bar 842to the relevant location 845 as illustrated in FIG. 11B. That is, theultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may move the second movement bar 842so that the location 845 of the region of interest may be located on thesecond movement bar 842. Alternatively, a user may move the secondmovement bar 842 to the region of interest by dragging the secondmovement bar 842, or performing a track ball input and a left/right keyinput.

When the second movement bar 842 is moved so that the location 845 ofthe region of interest may be located on the second movement bar 842,the second cross-section 832 may be also moved to the location 835 ofthe region of interest. Accordingly, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus100 may generate a cross-section image in the elevation directionincluding a region 855 of interest as a second ultrasound image 850 anddisplay the generated second ultrasound image 850 on the first display861 as illustrated in FIG. 11B.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 accordingto an embodiment may include a 2D transducer array in which a pluralityof transducers are arranged in two dimensions, may analog-beamformsignals respectively corresponding to the plurality of transducers in afirst direction, and analog-beamform the signals in a second directionperpendicular to the first direction (S1110).

For example, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may performanalog-beamforming in the first direction by applying the same timedelay value to transducers located on the same location in the seconddirection, and perform analog-beamforming in the second direction byapplying the same time delay value to transducers located on the samelocation in the first direction. In this case, the first direction maybe the elevation direction, and the second direction may be the lateraldirection.

Also, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 according to an embodimentmay digital-beamform signals that are analog-beamformed in the firstdirection, and digital-beamform signals that are analog-beamformed inthe second direction (S1120).

For example, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may generate signalscorresponding to a plurality of scan lines arranged in the seconddirection by digital-beamforming signals that are analog-beamformed inthe first direction. Also, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 maygenerate signals corresponding to a plurality of scan lines arranged inthe first direction by digital-beamforming signals that areanalog-beamformed in the second direction.

Also, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 according to an embodimentmay generate a first ultrasound image by using a signal that is obtainedby digital-beamforming signals that are analog-beamformed in the firstdirection, and generate a second ultrasound image by using signals thatare obtained by digital-beamforming signals that are analog-beamformedin the second direction (S1130).

For example, the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound imageare images corresponding to cross-sections perpendicular to each other.Also, the first ultrasound image may be an ultrasound imagecorresponding to a cross-section perpendicular to the first direction,and the second ultrasound image may be an ultrasound image correspondingto a cross-section perpendicular to the second direction.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 according to an embodiment maydisplay the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image(S1140).

For example, each of the first ultrasound image and the secondultrasound image may be displayed as one of a B mode image, a color flowimage, and an elastic image. Also, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus100 according to an embodiment may display the locations of a firstcross-section corresponding to the first ultrasound image and a secondcross-section corresponding to the second ultrasound image. Also, theultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may display a first movement barrepresenting the location of the first cross-section and a secondmovement bar representing the location of the second cross-section. Whenthe first movement bar or the second movement bar moves, the ultrasounddiagnosis apparatus 100 may display the first ultrasound imagecorresponding to the moved first cross-section or the second ultrasoundimage corresponding to the moved second cross-section.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100 may display a first adjustmentbar that may adjust the frame rate of the first ultrasound image and thesecond ultrasound image. Also, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 100may display a second adjustment bar that may adjust the resolution ofthe first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image.

According to an embodiment, a multi-beam may be implemented in the firstdirection and the second direction without an error. According to anembodiment, a multi-beam may be implemented in the first direction andthe second direction, so that a frame rate of an ultrasound image may beincreased. According to an embodiment, a number of cables connecting ananalog beamformer with a digital beamformer may be reduced. According toan embodiment, an amount of operations by analog beamforming may bereduced.

Meanwhile, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and the method ofoperating the same according to embodiments can also be embodied ascomputer readable codes on a non-transitory computer readable recordingmedium. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium is anydata storage device that can store data which can be thereafter read bya computer system. Examples of the non-transitory computer readablerecording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory(RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storagedevices, and so on. The non-transitory computer readable recordingmedium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems sothat the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributivemanner.

While one or more embodiments have been described with reference to thefigures, the inventive concept is not limited to the described specificembodiments and it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in theart that various changes in form and details may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.These modifications should not be individually understood from thetechnical spirit or prospect of the inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus comprising: atwo-dimensional (2D) transducer array in which a plurality oftransducers that transmit/receive an ultrasound signal to/from an objectare arranged in two dimensions; an analog beamformer configured toperform analog beamforming in a first direction, and perform analogbeamforming in a second direction perpendicular to the first directionon signals respectively received by the plurality of transducers; and adigital beamformer configured to perform digital beamforming on thesignals that are analog-beamformed in the first direction, and performdigital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed in thesecond direction.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the analogbeamformer comprises: a first analog beamformer configured to performthe analog beamforming in the first direction by applying a same timedelay value to transducers located at same locations in the seconddirection; and a second analog beamformer configured to perform theanalog beamforming in the second direction by applying a same time delayvalue to transducers located at same locations in the first direction.3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the 2D transducer array comprisesan M×N type 2D transducer array in which M 1D transducers are arrangedin an elevation direction, and N 1D transducers are arranged in alateral direction, the analog beamformer is further configured toperform the analog beamforming in the lateral direction on each of the M1D transducers arranged in the elevation direction, and perform theanalog beamforming in the elevation direction on each of the N 1Dtransducers arranged in the lateral direction, and the digitalbeamformer is further configured to perform digital beamforming on thesignals that are analog-beamformed in the lateral direction, and performdigital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed in theelevation direction.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a number ofchannels input to the digital beamformer is M+N.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the 2D transducer array is further configured totransmit an ultrasound signal to the object along one scan line, andreceive an ultrasound signal reflected by the object, and the digitalbeamformer is further configured to generate a signal corresponding to aplurality of scan lines arranged in the second direction bydigital-beamforming the signals that are analog-beamformed in the firstdirection, and generate a signal corresponding to a plurality of scanlines arranged in the first direction by digital-beamforming the signalsthat are analog-beamformed in the second direction.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: an image processor configured to generate afirst ultrasound image by using a signal that is obtained bydigital-beamforming the signals that are analog-beamformed in the firstdirection, and generate a second ultrasound image by using a signal thatis obtained by digital-beamforming the signals that areanalog-beamformed in the second direction.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein the first ultrasound image comprises an image corresponding to afirst cross-section of the object, and the second ultrasound imagecomprises an image corresponding to a second cross-section of theobject, and the first cross-section is perpendicular to the secondcross-section.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of the firstultrasound image and the second ultrasound image comprises one of abrightness (B) mode image, a color flow image, and an elastic image. 9.The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a display configured todisplay the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image. 10.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the display is further configured todisplay at least one of a first adjustment bar that adjusts frame ratesof the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image, and asecond adjustment bar that adjusts resolutions of the first ultrasoundimage and the second ultrasound image.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9,further comprising: an input device configured to receive a user inputthat selects a region of interest from the first ultrasound image,wherein the display is further configured to display the secondultrasound image comprising the selected region of interest.
 12. Amethod of operating an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus comprising atwo-dimensional (2D) transducer array in which a plurality oftransducers are arranged in two dimensions, the method comprising:performing analog beamforming in a first direction, and performinganalog beamforming in a second direction perpendicular to the firstdirection on signals respectively received by the plurality oftransducers; and performing digital beamforming on the signals that areanalog-beamformed in the first direction, and performing digitalbeamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed in the seconddirection.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the performing of theanalog beamforming in the first direction, and the performing of theanalog beamforming in the second direction perpendicular to the firstdirection comprises: performing the analog beamforming in the firstdirection by applying a same time delay value to transducers located ata same location in the second direction; and performing the analogbeamforming in the second direction by applying a same time delay valueto transducers located at a same location in the first direction. 14.The method of claim 12, wherein the 2D transducer array comprises an M×Ntype 2D transducer array in which M 1D transducers are arranged in anelevation direction, and N 1D transducers are arranged in a lateraldirection, the performing of the analog beamforming in the firstdirection, and the performing of the analog beamforming in the seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction comprise: performing theanalog beamforming in the lateral direction on each of the M 1Dtransducers arranged in the elevation direction, and performing theanalog beamforming in the elevation direction on each of the N 1Dtransducers arranged in the lateral direction, and the performing of thedigital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed in thefirst direction, and the performing of the digital beamforming on thesignals that are analog-beamformed in the second direction comprises:performing digital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformedin the lateral direction, and performing digital beamforming on thesignals that are analog-beamformed in the elevation direction.
 15. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising: transmitting an ultrasoundsignal to the object along one scan line, and receiving an ultrasoundsignal reflected by the object, wherein the performing of the digitalbeamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed in the firstdirection, and the performing of the digital beamforming on the signalsthat are analog-beamformed in the second direction comprise: generatinga signal corresponding to a plurality of scan lines arranged in thesecond direction by digital-beamforming the signals that areanalog-beamformed in the first direction, and generating a signalcorresponding to a plurality of scan lines arranged in the firstdirection by digital-beamforming the signals that are analog-beamformedin the second direction.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:generating a first ultrasound image by using a signal that is obtainedby digital-beamforming the signals that are analog-beamformed in thefirst direction, and generating a second ultrasound image by using asignal that is obtained by digital-beamforming the signals that areanalog-beamformed in the second direction.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the first ultrasound image comprises an image corresponding to afirst cross-section of the object, and the second ultrasound imagecomprises an image corresponding to a second cross-section of theobject, and the first cross-section is perpendicular to the secondcross-section.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the firstultrasound image and the second ultrasound image comprises one of a Bmode image, a color flow image, and an elastic image.
 19. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising: displaying the first ultrasound image andthe second ultrasound image.
 20. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising: displaying at least one of a first adjustment bar thatadjusts frame rates of the first ultrasound image and the secondultrasound image, and a second adjustment bar that adjusts resolutionsof the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image.
 21. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising: receiving a user input thatselects a region of interest from the first ultrasound image; anddisplaying the second ultrasound image comprising the selected region ofinterest.